The renewed push to expand Perth’s international network comes after a record 16.9 million passengers passed through the airport in 2024.
Perth Airport (PER) is setting its sights on unlocking new aviation links in the Asia-Pacific region, with CEO Jason Waters highlighting strong passenger growth, new international routes and a multibillion-dollar infrastructure pipeline ahead of the Western Australia city hosting Routes Asia 2025.
“We are keen to further develop direct aviation connections with key markets such as China, as well as developing routes with new, unserved regions such as India and the Republic of Korea [South Korea],” he said. “We are canvassing new destination experiences, new markets for exporting fresh food, new international educational opportunities and increased business connections.”
Waters said the airport will use Routes Asia 2025 to pitch Perth as a growing regional hub to aviation leaders from across Asia-Pacific. The city will welcome about 1,000 delegates for the event, which takes place from March 25-27.
“Perth is a dynamic, expanding hub with incredible growth opportunities,” he added. “We’re focused on attracting new international airlines and creating value across tourism, business, education and exports.”
The renewed push to expand Perth’s international network comes after a record 16.9 million passengers passed through the airport in 2024, up 1.6 million from the previous year. More than half of the increase came from international travelers, as airlines added new routes and expanded frequencies in response to post-pandemic demand.
Recent airline announcements underscore the airport’s growing international footprint. Qantas expanded its direct European services from Perth to include Paris, adding to its existing nonstop flights to London and Rome.
Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates and Air New Zealand have all increased capacity, while South African Airways, Thai Airways and All Nippon Airways have returned or expanded operations. AirAsia also entered the Perth market for the first time, and Jetstar has opened new international routes.
Further growth is expected in 2025, with TransNusa launching flights to Denpasar-Bali and Virgin Australia adding a direct service to Doha through its partnership with Qatar Airways.
Supporting this momentum is a multibillion-dollar capital works program that will reshape the airport over the next decade. In May 2024, it was announced that PER will invest around A$3 billion ($1.9 billion) in new terminal facilities and a parallel runway as part of a wider A$5 billion investment program that also includes car parks, transport infrastructure and a hotel.
“We’ve commenced an extensive program of projects that will completely change the face of Perth Airport over the next decade,” Walters said. “This will deliver on the long-held vision for ‘One Airport’ which will deliver greater efficiency for airlines, a better travel experience for passengers and major economic benefits for Western Australia.”
At present, PER consists of four terminals and a General Aviation precinct. Terminals 1 and 2 are located on the east side of the runways, while Terminals 3, 4 and General Aviation are on the west, separated by a 10-min. drive.
As part of the work, Qantas and subsidiary Jetstar will relocate all services to a new terminal at the Airport Central precinct at Terminal 1, consolidating the split terminals into one complex. The airlines plan to add 4.4 million seats to and from PER annually by the time the new terminal opens in 2031.
Waters credited the “Team Perth” initiative, a collaboration between PER, Tourism Western Australia, the state government and key industry stakeholders, for driving efforts to secure new airline partners and expand Perth’s global reach.
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